Roaming in Roma

Located 175 miles to the south of Urbino, Roma is perhaps the most famous of Italian cities. Rome had once been the hegemony power of the ancient world. It was an “iron-hammer” as it spread quickly to conquer the world. Rome is called the “city of seven hills” because of its geographical location on seven different hillsides. Rome is filled with both a violent, yet cultured history.

Travel to Rome is the only way to appreciate the empire’s original splendor. Fortunately, the travel to Rome from Urbino is fairly cost-effective. Travel by bus is the most affordable, with buses leaving from the Borgo Mercatale in the early morning for the six-hour trip to Rome. Alternatively, taking the bus to Pesaro and catching a train next door at the train station is a quicker way to go, but also is more expensive.

Upon arriving in Rome, there are far too many sights to see in just one day. It is recommended that you spend at least two full days in Rome to fully appreciate its beauty and experience all that Rome has to offer.

By far the two most impressive places to visit are the Vatican and the Colosseum.

Vatican city is the historic home of the Papacy. Within its partially walled exterior is the world’s best collection of Christian art, specifically in painting, sculpture and tapestry. Admission into the Vatican is best accomplished by certified tour groups, which will help you get into the city. On the tour, the typical sites to see are the Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilic, and the Garden’s of Vatican City. A good tour of the Vatican costs 40 to 80 euros.

Also highly recommended is the visit to the Colosseum. A full entrance ticket is 12 euros, allowing you to visit all levels and areas of the Colosseum. This visit provides ample opportunity to see the world’s largest amphitheatre ever built. Known at the time as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is constructed primarily out of sand and concrete. The Colosseum could hold many thousands of spectators, with estimates around 65,000 attendees.

There are many other sites to see that are recommended. The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Forums are also great places to visit. The total trip cost from Urbino to all the previously mentioned places was under €200, which included some small souvenirs to commemorate the excellent trip.